MLB News

7 clubs make offers for Machado; 2 favorites?

By
Manny RandhawaMLB.com

The Orioles have received offers for star shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado from seven teams, according to the Baltimore Sun.

In "order of appeal," the offers are from the Dodgers, D-backs, Brewers, Phillies, Braves, Indians and Cubs. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted Sunday morning that sources tell The Athletic the Dodgers and Brewers are considered "most serious" for Machado, while Cleveland is "in the mix."

The Orioles have received offers for star shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado from seven teams, according to the Baltimore Sun.

In "order of appeal," the offers are from the Dodgers, D-backs, Brewers, Phillies, Braves, Indians and Cubs. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted Sunday morning that sources tell The Athletic the Dodgers and Brewers are considered "most serious" for Machado, while Cleveland is "in the mix."

Machado, who turned 26 on Friday, has been on the trade market since last offseason, with free agency coming up after the end of the current campaign and the Orioles in the American League East cellar with a record of 24-64.

While he's currently playing shortstop for Baltimore, the majority of Machado's Major League career has been spent at third base, where he has won two Gold Glove Awards. He's putting together his finest season at the plate, hitting .310/.380/.557 with 21 home runs.

The Dodgers lost star shortstop Corey Seager for the season to Tommy John surgery, and are seeking their sixth straight National League West title. The D-backs have had an up-and-down season but entered Sunday narrowly atop the division standings. Arizona could use an upgrade at short, where it's gotten a .720 OPS from starter Nick Ahmed.

The Brewers are locked in a tight race with the Cubs in the NL Central and have gotten poor production at shortstop this season (.558 OPS). The Phillies have shortstop J.P. Crawford on the disabled list and third baseman Maikel Franco has struggled at the plate this season, though he's fared better since mid-June. In Atlanta, Dansby Swanson is hitting .246/.298/.402.

If the Indians were to acquire Machado, that would likely mean moving slugging third baseman Jose Ramirez to second, and struggling second baseman Jason Kipnis to a bench role. The Cubs, meanwhile, have an impressive infield all around, though it's possible a player like Addison Russell could be moved in a Machado deal.